After completing the majestic Valbona Pass hike, we decided to stay a couple of extra days in Theth before taking the bus back to Shkoder. Theth is a cute village, slightly bigger than Valbona. You still won’t find a grocery store here, or an ATM. But hey, it has the[…]
Photos of the hike from Valbona to Theth are what made James and I want to visit Albania. This weekend, after travelling around Albania for nearly a month, we finally got to cross this experience off our bucket list. Somehow, it was even more incredible than I imagined. Having arrived[…]
Albania is home to a bucket list hike: the Valbona Pass through the Accursed Mountains. This 17km hike between Theth and Valbona offers nonstop jaw-dropping mountain vistas. (More in the next post). Theth and Valbona are both small villages with limited services. So, hikers usually drop off their luggage in[…]
On Monday, we took the bus to Shkodër: a charming, midsized city at the foothills of the Albanian Alps. This city is basically a required stop if you want to do any hiking on the Albanian side of the mountain range. The week started off rainy, which was perfect for[…]
Osumi Canyon is a 26km river gorge in Southern Albania. We visited the canyon as a group tour from Berat. As you know, I prefer independent travel when possible. But, I think Osumi Canyon would be tricky to fit in that way. You would have to rent a car and[…]
This morning, we set out nice and early for Berat Castle, which is the main attraction in Berat. To get to the castle from downtown, you can take a steep but beautiful 30-minute walk up a cobblestone alley. Or, you can take a taxi to the top. Because the castle[…]
We have now made it to Berat: the third city we’ve visited in Albania, and the first non-coastal one. This city’s historic center, known as “the city of 1000 windows”, is a UNESCO world heritage site due to its beautifully preserved Ottoman-style homes. We are staying in Hotel Berati: a[…]
Today, it was time for us to return our trusty rental bike to its home in Himarë. There was a small traffic jam as we waited for a herd of goats to cross. On the way, we stopped in to visit Himarë’s old town: a historic district that includes the[…]
As we wrap up our time in the Albanian Riviera, I wanted to write a general appreciation post for Dhërmi. When I was researching this trip, I heard a lot about Ksamil, but not as much about the many other villages along the coast. We chose to visit Dhërmi on[…]
Today, we set out for Gjipe: a small beach near Dhermi, Albania that’s surrounded by canyons. To get there, you can drive to a parking lot at the end of the paved road, and then continue on foot for about 30 minutes. Welcome to Gjipe! Crystal clear water and beautiful[…]